Why every nature lover should experience Kamchatka

Written by 56th Parallel

Nature lovers, what would you choose as the ultimate destination for stunning natural scenery, isolated wilderness and up-close encounters with wildlife? We’ve all heard of Galapagos, the African savannah and the Great Barrier Reef. But what do you really know about the wonders of Kamchatka nature?

One thing’s for sure, this remote region is still way off the radars of all but the most intrepid tourists, and that makes it paradise for adventure travellers, wildlife enthusiasts and the kind of travellers who seek solitude and quiet communion with nature.

Best of all, the Kamchatka nature is blessed with extraordinary volcanic landscapes, miles of rugged coastline and some of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Russia. From encounters with giant Siberian brown bears to kayaking with killer whales, a tour to Kamchatka is true frontier adventure travelling, worthy of the worldliest of world travellers.

Here’s why you should be considering a tour to Kamchatka, Russia, for your next off-the-beaten-trail adventure.

The wildlife is incredible

Much of Kamchatka is uninhabited wilderness. The birch and tundra forests of Kamchatka are home to its most famous wild residents, the giant Kamchatka brown bears. The bears hibernate over winter, but during late spring and summer, large numbers congregate at Kurilskoe Lake, a remote area where salmon come to spawn in their millions and the bears come to hunt, play and socialise in the food-rich waters. Spotting them at this time of the year is more or less guaranteed. Rangers escort you to watch towers where you can observe the bears from a tantalisingly close but safe distance. The opportunities for National Geographic worthy photos are endless.

The bears are Kamchatka’s biggest animal drawcard, but the rocky Pacific coastline is arguably even richer in amazing wildlife, from big beasties like fur seals, stellar sea lions, whales and orcas, through to an incredible array of seabirds including puffins and sea eagles. From up close encounters, take a multi-day kayaking tour along the Kamchatka’s coastline.

The Kamchatka nature scenery is out of this world

Millions of years of volcanic activity have carved Kamchatka into a place of strangely prehistoric, undulating landscapes, some of which look more like scenes from an alien planet than anything else on earth. Kamchatka is home to over 30 active volcanoes, including Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, and what many consider one of the world’s most picturesque, Mount Kronotsky. It’s no wonder these majestic giants contribute to the region’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Equally as stunning are the 90 geysers and numerous hot springs that make up the 6km Geyser Valley. The second largest concentration of geysers on earth, only accessible by helicopter, this natural gem remains a virtually untouched region of raw geothermal power.

It’s just as amazing in winter

Most travellers tend to visit Kamchatka in late spring and summer when the weather is usually warm and sunny and the brown bears are out on display. But Kamchatka is equally as alluring as a winter destination. The volcanoes overshadowing Kamchatka’s capital city, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka are even more beautiful in their snowy winter coats, and the vision of dozens of steaming geysers erupting from icy valleys is truly ethereal. A scenic winter helicopter ride over these iconic sights is a must. Kamchatka is also a paradise for winter sports lovers, offering uncrowded ski slopes, snowmobiling, dog sledding and even heli-skiing from the crater of an active volcano!

So, have we convinced you yet? Head over to 56thparallel.com for more stunning images of Kamchatka’s natural beauty, and info on our upcoming Kamchatka summer tours, Kamchatka winter tours and Kamchatka wildlife experiences.